Signal-box



3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

N X S0 B L A WN G M u (No Model.)

No. 444,144 Patented Jan. 6, 1891.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. GQWILSON. SIGNAL BOX.

No. 444,144. Patented Jan. 6, 1891.

1n: mmms Farms 00., PMaro-Jmo wAsmEmmu, m c.

-(No Model.) 3 sheets -sh eet 3.

J 0. WILSON;- SIGNAL BOX.

No. 444,144. Patented Jan. 6, 1891'.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

JOHN C. IVILSON, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE MUNICIPAL SIGNAL COMPANY, OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

SIG NAL-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 444,144, dated January 6, 1891.

Application filed January 14, 1888. Serial No. 260,691. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom, it may concern.-

'='; Be it known that I, JOHN C. \VILSON, of Boston, county of Suffolk, and State of Massachusetts, have invented an. Improvement in Signal-Boxes, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying trolled automatically by the opening and closing of the box-door, another switch operated by the insertion of an outside signal-transmitting key for including in the circuit the signal-transmitter, or a co-operative part of it, or the telephonic instruments, or the answer-back bell, or two or more, as desired.

. The answer-back bell preferably employed is an ordinary polarized bell having an inductive coil placed or wound upon one pole of the permanent magnet thereof, and the inductive coil is adapted to be included in the circuit at each time the signal is transmitted to th ereby revivify the strength of the said permanent magnet. The main circuit entering the box, and from which the branch circuits lead, shunts out the entire parts or devices contained in the box, and a switch is employed for said shunt, which is operated by the actuating-pull of the signal-transmitter.

The details of construction and arrangement of the circuits will be hereinafter more fully explained, it being understood that the same may be modified without departing from this invention.

Figure 1 shows in front elevation the rear side of the face-plate of a signal-box having attached thereto the instruments and appa ratus embodying this invention; Fig. 2,avertical section of a portion of the face-plate, taken on the dotted line 00 00, Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a detail of one of the switches to be referred to 5 Figs. 4, 5, and (3, details of the switches which are operated by movements of the door of the box; Fig. 7, a detail of the starting-lever and the locking device for the actuating-pull; Fig. 8, a longitudinal section of the polarized bell; Fig. 9, a view of the box, on a smaller scale, showing the hinged face-plate and door; and Fig. 10, a diagram of the circuits within the box.

The box is of suitable shape to receive within it the face-plate A", (see Fig- 1,) to which the several parts are attached, said faceplate being hinged to the box-like a door, and concealed bya door. A multiple signal-transmitter is employed, preferably of the construction shown and described in United States Patent No. 320,032, granted to me, it containing a series of break-wheels mounted upon a shaft, a series of contact-pens, one for each break-wheel, and a selecting-cylinder rotated by means of a pointer attached to it for moving any desired one of the pens into contact with its respective break-wheel.

The box herein to be described being employed for the transmission of fire-alarm, as well as police signals, one break-wheel of the multiple signal-transmitter, as c, is adapted to transmit the box-number, one breakwheel, as c, is adapted to transmit the signal indicating fire, and the remaining breakwheels, as 0 &c., are adapted to transmit different special signals. The box-number break-wheel c is always in contact with its contact-pen d, so that whatever signal is transmitted the box-number is sent in conj unction with the signal.

The multiple signal-transmitter, together with its actuating-motor, spring, starting-lever a, pull 2, and locking device 0 for the pull, is included within the box or case B, with the exception of the box-number and firealarm break-wheels c c, which are attached to the end of the shaft carrying the other break-wheels, but easily accessible without disturbing the remaining parts of the transmitter, so that they may be readily changed at any time desired.

The act-uatingpull is preferably operated by a thumb-piece attached to it at the point 6 or by either one or the other of two actuating mechanisms D D, all accessible from the exterior of the box by means of suitable keys.

Each act uating mechanism t) l) is substantially the same as that shown and described in the application of Morris lltartin, above referred to, and comprises the roller having its bearing in the hub of a suitable frame or plate 3, screwed to an insulated projection or flange 4, projecting inwardly from the lower end of the face-plate A. Each roller is provided with a pin (not herein shown) which passes through a slot cut in the plate or disk (i, secured to the hub of the plate 3, the said pin being at one side of the key-hole 7, so that whenever the key is inserted and turned the bit of the key s rikes the pin, and thereafter by further rotary movement; of the key the roller is turned. A chain or cord 10 connects the actuating-pull c and the rollers 2, so that whichever roller is rotated the chain is drawn to more the actuating-pull. The movable plugp passes through the plate 3 and hub of the actuating mechanism 1), and one end, as 1), of the said plug 1) when pressed forward rubs against and makes contact with two coutact-pens l2 13 to close a branch circuit, to be described. The plug p near the end p has a flange 11 against which bears the outer or free end of a spring 1t, attached to an insulated plug p iwhich is secured to another insulated plug 1), attached to a post or stud p. The pen It acts normally as a spring to keep the plug 1) free from contact with the springs 12 13, and also normally bears upon a spring 15, which is attached to an insulated block p, the said two springs l4 15 being connected in a branch circuit, to be hereinafter described.

and acting whenever the plug 7]) is pressed forward to separate and open the said branch circuit. A similar plug p passes through the plate or hub of the actuating mechanism I), the forward end 19 of which bears against the outer end of a spring 16, which normally bears upon the spring 17, the said springs 10' 17 being attached to a post or stud p and in sulated from each other. The said springs 16 17 are connected in a branch circuit, to be hereinafter described, which circuit is broken when the plug is pressed forward.

Each plugp 1) extends outward into the key-holes 7, and the keys employed have socketed ends or shanks which receive the ends of the plugs p 2), each plug being provided with a flange, as 20, against which the ends of the shanks of the keys act when pressed forward to thereby move the said plugs inward.

A polarized bell 1* (see Figs. 1, 8, and 10) is also contained in the box, said bell consisting of a permanent magnetf, an electro-magnetf, connected with one pole of the permanent magnet, and the polarized armature f connected with the other pole of the permanent magnet, and an inductive coil f is also placed upon and applied to the permanent magnet to revivify the strength of the latter. The electro-magnetf and the inductive coil f" are connected in normally-open branch wires, to be described, to be introduced when desired.

A triple plug-switch is also located in the box and controlled by the movements of the box-door. This triple switch consists of a plug or pin r1, titted to slide frcelyin the faceplate A, and a frame orbracket 11, secured to the rear side of the said face-plate. The pin i isnormall y held pressed forward or outward by the spring 1' so that its outer end lies in the path of movement ofthe door, to be pressed inward by the door when the latter is closed. The opposite or rear end of the pin 1? is provided with two disks or flanges i '11", placed near to each other. Three pairs of contactsprings are secured to the plate i, of insulating material, around the pin 1', each pair terminating atdifferent distances from its point of attachment. The pair of contact-springs 30 31 are in contact with the disk i when the pin 2' is pressed into its extreme outward position by its controlling-spring-as, for instance, when the boX-door is open. The pair of contact-springs 32 33 are in contact with the disk or plate i when the pin 1' is in its extreme outward position-as, for instance, when the box-door is opcnwhile the pair of contact-springs 3t 35 are in contact with the disk or plate I when the pin is pressed in wardas, for instance, when the box-door is closed. Thus when the box-door is closed only the pair of contact-springs 3t is engaged, the other two pairs being disengaged, and when the box-door is open the two pairs 30 E31 and 32 are engaged, while the pair 3t 35 is disengaged. The several pairs of contact-springs are included in branch cireuits,and by their co-operation with the movable plug control the said branch circuits, as will be described.

The box also contains transmitting and receiving telephones T T.

Referring to Fig. 10, wherein a diagram of the circuit and branch circuits and instruments is shown, it will be seen that the current travels over the main-line wire and enters the box by wire 50, passes to blocks .9 3, upon which normally rest the pens .9, connected with or attached to the starting-lever c of the signal-transmitter by which they are moved, thence over wire 51, wire 80, wire 60, contact-springs 35, disk 1'', wire 5!), pens 15 14, wire 58, pens 17 10, wire 57, and out by wire 52, this course for the current serving when the box-door is closed and the parts are at rest, as indicated upon the drawings, as a shunt for the entire apparatus contained within the box.

When the police officer desires to transmit his patrol-signal, which, it will be understood, is simply the box-numher, he opens the boxdoor, which permits the switch-plug ito engage the contact-springs 30 31, and thereby closes the branch circuit from the wire 52, said branch circuit including the wire 53, spring 31, disk 2' spring 30, and wire 54. The wire IIO includes the transmitting-telephone, and the wire 54 the receiving-telephone and condenser 81; also, when the box-door is open the disk or flange i engages the springs 32 33 and closes the branch circuit from the wire 50, herein called the special signaling-circuit, said branch circuit including the wire 55, spring 33, disk 5*, spring 32, wire 56, and a series of contact-pens of the multiple transmitter, the branch circuit being normally open, owing to the said contact-pens being disengaged from their respective break-wheels; also, when the box-door is open the flange or disk 1' is disengaged from the contact-springs 34 35, there- ,by opening the branch circuit from the wire 52, herein termed the bell shunt, said branch circuit including the wire 57, springs 16 17, wire 58, springs 14: 15, wire 59, and spring 35 on one side, and the spring 34, and wire to the point 61. \Vhen the parts are in this position and the bell-shunt open, the current passes over wire 52, magnetf, wire 80, wire 51, switch 8 s, and wire 50. The box-number break-wheel c is included in the branch circuit from the wire 50 to the wire 52, said branch circuit. also including the wire 62, pen (7 wire 63, and inductive coilf to the point 61. The officer operating the actuating-pull e moves the starting-lever c and breaks the wires 50 51 at s, so that the current has but one coursenamely, wire 50, wire 62, pen d, wheel 0, wire 63, coil f, magnet f and wire 52thereby effecting the transmission of the box -number, and while the contact-pen d passes over the cut-away portion of the breakwheel 0 one of the series of contactrpens is in engagement with the smooth portion of one, as 0 of the series of break-wheels c and the current passes over the wire 50, wire 55, spring 33, disk 5 spring 32, wire 56, contactpen and its break-wheel 0 wire 63, coil f bellf, and wire 52, so that the continuity of the circuit is preserved. The polarized bell is thus in circuit whenever the bell-shunt is open to be responsive to the proper impulse transmitted from the central station. The pointer at this time will be at zero, in which position one of the series of contactpens is turned into position to engage the projecting portion of the wheel 0 as the latter revolves. If the ofiicer desires to transmit a special signal, the pointer is turned to move another one of the contact-pens into engagement with another one of the wheels 0 upon the projecting portion of which is cut a series of notches, and when the pull is actuated the current passes over the wire 50, wire 62, pen 61, wheel c, wire 63, and thence through the bell to wire 52, as above described, while the pen d is making electrical connection with the wheel 0, and as soon as the pen (I arrives at that portion of the wheelc which is cut away the other pen is in contact with one of the wheels 0 and the current then passes over the wire 50, wire 55, spring 33, disk 5, spring 32, wire 56, the pen and its wheel 0 wire 63, and thence through the hell to wire 52. Thus it will be seen that theboxnumber followed by the special number is transmitted and the polarized bell is in circuit responsive to return-impulses, as before described. These constitute the two kinds of signals which may be transmitted when the box-door is open. Also, when the boxdoor is open telephonic communication may be carried on in the well-known manner, the ground branch 54, including the telephonic apparatus, being closed by the disk i at the contact-pens 3O 31. A switch on the telephone-hook, consistingof a conducting-block 85 and contact-pens S6 37, with which it co-operatcs, is designed as a shunt for the polarized bell F, so that when the box-door is opened and the transmitting-telephone T taken from its support for the purpose of communication the said bell will be shunted out. The contact-pen S6 is connected by wire 88 with a wire 60 at one side of the bell F, and the'contact-pen 87 is connected by wire 89 with the other side of the bell F. W hen the box-door is opened and the transmitting-telephone T taken from its supporting-hook and the telephone-switch 85 b6 87 closed, the current passes over the wire 50, blocks 3 s 3, wire 51, wire 80, wire 60, wire 38, parts 86 85 37, wire 89, and wire 52.

\Vhen the box-door is closed, two different kinds of signals may be transmitteda police and a fire-alarm signalthe transmission of one of which, as the police-signal, being effected by the actuating mechanism I), and the transmission of the other, as the lire-alarm signal, by the actuating mechanism D, each being actuated bya ditferent key. tVhe-n the police-signal is transmitted, which, it is to be understood, is a eitizens call, the key is insorted and the springs 16 17 separated, thereby breaking the branch circuit, hereinbefore termed the bell-shunt, and by rotation of the key the act uating-pull e is operated, actuating the transmitter, and as the break-wheels rotate the current passes over wire 50, wire 62, pen (1, wheel (2, wire 63, and thence through the bell to wire 52, effecting the transmission of the box-number, and when the contact pen of the wheel carrives at its cut-away portion the contact-pen of the wheel 0 (the pointer being at zero) bears upon the projecting portion; but the branch wire, including said break-wheel 0 and its pen, being open at i the circuit will be open during the time the contact-pen is in en- 4 gagement with said projecting portion of the wheel 0 and hence a dash is recorded, so that the citizens call consists of thebox-n umberand a dash, and is thereby distinguishable. When the fire-alarm signal is to be transmitted, the key is inserted in the other key-hole and the springs 14 15 separated, thereby breaking the branch circuit called the bel1-shunt and closing by means of the springs 12 13 the branch circuit from the wire 55, said branch circuit including the springs 12 13, Wire 67, pen (1, fire break-wheel c,which is of a shape corresponding with the series of break-wheels 0 wire 63, bell, and thence to wire 52, and the key being rotated the transmitter is operated, thereby transmitting the box-number and the (ire-alarm signal.

I do not herein desire to confine myself to the precise arrangement of devices and circuits to carry out the results described, as it is obvious that thesame may be more or less varied.

It will be seen that with each signal transmitted the current passes through the inductive coilf of a polarized bell, thereby revivifying the strength of the permanent magnet therein.

It is obvious that for police-signal purposes only, the fire-alarm ke v-hole,its actuating device, and break-wheel may be omitted and the patrol, special, and citizens call only transmitted.

I claim 1. In a signal-box, a signal-transmitter and a removable key or actuator by which the said signal-transmitter is operated, and an answerback bell and shunt therefor, combined with a switch operated by said removable key for opening the said shunt thereby including the cell in circuit, rendering it responsive, substantially as described.

2. In a signal-box, the multiple signal-transmit-ter and an actuating-pull therefor, an answer-back bell and a shunt therefor, a switch for opening and closing said shunt, controlled by the box-door, combined with a removable key or actuator adapted to be inserted from the outside of the box when the door is closed for also effecting the operation of the transmitter, and a switch controlled by said key or actuator for opening the said bell-shunt, substantially as described.

3. In a signal-box, the combination, sub- 1 stantially as described, of a signal-transmitter, the actuating-pull and starting-lever therefor, the polarized bell, an inductive coil placed upon the permanent magnet of the polarized bell, a shunt for the inductive coil and transmitter, and a switch controlled by the actuating-pull for opening said shunt, including the said inductive coil at the time the transmitter is included, so that the current shall pass through the said inductive coil during the time each signal is being transmitted.

4. In a signal-box, the combination of the following instrumentalities, viz: a signaltransmitter, an actuating-pull therefor, an answer-back bell, and means controlled by the door of the boX for rendering it responsive,a removable key adapted to be inserted from the outside of the box when the dooris closed for also etfecting the operation of said transmitter, and means controlled by said removable key for also rendering the said answerbaek bell responsive, substantially as described.

5. In a signal-box, a signaltransmitter and answer-back bell, a telephone, a shuntswitch for said answer-back bell automatically closed by the removal of the telephone, a normally-open ground branch leading from the signaling-circuit for the telephone, and a switch for closing it automatically when the door of the box is opened, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN C. \VILSON.

\Vitnesses:

BERNIOE J. NoYEs, B. DEWAR. 

